Liquid cooler for refrigerating apparatus



Feb. 12, 1957 H. ROBERTS 2,781,153

LIQUID 'COOLER FOR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1955 INVENTOR.

EDWARD H. ROBERTS ms ATTORNEY I United States Patent LIQUID COOLER FOR REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Edward H. Roberts, Jeifersontown, Ky., assignor to Genand Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application December 14, 1955, Serial No. 553,086

2 Claims. (Cl. 222-183) This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to liquid cooling means for such refrigerating apparatus.

Often it is desirable to provide an arrangement for obtaining cooled liquids such as water from the food storage compartment of a domestic type refrigerator. The liquid is generally stored in a reservoir adjacent the evaporator in the food storage compartment of the refrigerator where it can be cooled. A dispensing valve or faucet is usually employed on the reservoir to obtain its contents. in order to gain access to this faucet on the reservoir it has been necessary in many arrangements to first open the insulated door of the refrigerator which of course admits warm air from the outside into the food storage compartment. Or, if the faucet is provided on the outer wall of the refrigerator and connected with piping through the refrigerator wall to the reservoir, the dispensing means cannot be operated from inside the food storage compartment, an operating featur often desired. in addition this latter arrangement of liquid dispensing provides a heat path from the outside to the inside of the refrigerator through the metal portions of the dispensing apparatus.

Accordingly it is an object of my invention to provide a new and novel arrangement for a liquid cooling attachment for a refrigerator.

It is another object of my invention to provide a novel liquid cooling attachment for a refrigerator which may be operated from either the inside or outside of the food storage compartment of the refrigerator to supply cooled liquid.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a no el liquid cooling attachment for a refrigerator in which liquid is readily cooled by the evaporator of the refrigerator and does not interfere with the insulating properties of the refrigerator cabinet.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a liquid cooling attachment for a refrigerator which is simple and convenient to use, is fast acting in supplying liquid and in terminating the liquid flow, and which is easy to clean while eliminating the dripping of liquid into the refrigerator cabinet.

in carrying out my invention, 1 provide a reservoir for liquid arranged to be supported within the cooled food storage compartment of a refrigerator. A dispensing valve or faucet is arranged on the reservoir which may be operated within the food storage compartment when the refrigerator door is opened to discharge liquid from the reservoir. Means are also provided on the door to actuate the faucet from the outside of the refrigerator only when the door is closed and to simultaneously conduct the discharged liquid from the faucet spout to the outside of the refrigerator where it can be collected in a suitable container.

The novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, 'however, both as to its organization and mode of operation maybe best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

2,781,153 Patented Feb. 12, 1957 ice Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section, of the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of a modification of my invention; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View partially in section, of a second modification of my invention.

Referring now to Fig. l, I have illustrated therein a refrigerator cabinet which includes an outer metal wall 1 and an inner metal wall or liner 2, the space between the walls being filled with suitable heat insulating material 3. The walls are formed to provide a door opening 4 at the front of the cabinet. The inner liner 2 defines a space 5 which comprises the food storage compartment 'of the cabinet, and the door opening 4rprovides access to that compartment. T he opening 4 may be closed by any suitable insulated door, as for example by the vertically pivoted, insulated door 6 which is sealed to the door frame when closed by a compressible gasket 7. The door 6 comprises an inner liner 8 and an outer wall 9, the space between the walls being filled with suitable heat insulating material 10.

The storage compartment 5 is refrigerated or cooled by means of a suitable mechanical refrigerating system and the evaporator 11 of such system is shown arranged around a low temperature food storage or freezer compartment 12 suitably arranged in the upper portion of the food storage compartment 5. Both the compressor and condenser (not shown) of the refrigerating system may be of any desired type and, as will be'understood, are connected in refrigerant flow circuit with the evaporator 11, the inner connecting conduits being admitted in Fig. l to simplify the same.

Within the storage compartment 5 preferably adjacent to and below the evaporator 11, I arrange a horizontal shelf 13 on mounting brackets 14 suitably fixed to the inner liner 2. This shelf is so arranged that it will support 'a liquid reservoir or tank 15 having a fill cap 16 in close association with the evaporator coil 11. The reservoir 15 may be of any suitable form that can be conveniently accommodated within the compartment 5 and I have shown it preferably of generally rectangular shape. The.

reservoir 15 Which is adjacent the door opening 4, a liquid dispensing valve or faucet 17 actuated by an outwardly biased plunger 18 and containing a downwardly depending fiow spout 19. This faucet may be of any generally known type which normally shuts off the flow of liquid and opens when the plunger 13 is depressed inwardly against its biasing means to permit the flow of liquid therethrough and outwardly through the spout 19. It will be notedthat the faucet 17 is preferably aifixed to the reservoir 15 near its bottom wall in order. that the liquid contained in the reservoir may be drained to a low level.

in order to accommodate my outside faucet actuating mechanism, 1 have removed a portion of the insulation 10 Within the door 6 as shown at 20 and openings 21 and 22 are provided in the door walls 8 and 9-respectively. Within the opening 22, I locate a fitting 23 having a peripheral flange 24. The fitting 23 which is externally threaded along a portion of the length has an outwardly flaring, annular end 25 which extends beyond the Wall 9 and has an inner end provided with an aperture 26 extending within the space 20 in the door insulation 10. The fitting 23 is preferably secured to the wall 9 by a nut 27 threaded externally on the fitting to draw the flange 24 tightly against the wall 9 with an annular gasket 28 positioned between the nut 27 andwall 9. V W

A door walls 8 and 9. respectively.

upwardly extending, enlarged end 37 adjacent'the wall tion of my invention.

In order to actuate the faucet 17 so that liquid can be withdrawn from the reservoir'when the door 6 is closed;

I provide a stem or push rod 29 extending through the opening 26 in the fitting 23 and terminating at its'outer end in a push-button 30, the outer diameter of which I have provided a spring 31 encircling the rod 29 and engaging the pushbutton at one end thereof and the inner end of the fitting 23 a t the other end thereof. In order to limit the outward movement of the push rod 29, I have provided a washer 32'fixed to the rod which engages the inner end; of fitting 23 under the biasing action of spring 31. V 7 V I 7 At the inner end of the rod 29 which extends through the opening 21 in the door wall 8, I attach by any suitable means an actuating button 33. This button 33 is so catedethat when the door 6 is in the closed position of Fig. 2, the button is immediately adjacent the plunger 18 of the valve 17 but not in contact'therewith'.

In order to conduct the liquid withdrawn from the reservoir to the outside ofthe refrigerator, I position directly below the actuating machanisrn described above an 'arcuate funnel 34. within openings 35 and 36 of the This funnel has an and a downwardly depending narrow end 38 extending to the outside of the refrigerator adjacent the outer wall 9 V of'the door 6.. Thuswhen the door is in the closed position of Fig. 2 sealing the compartment 5, the enlarged end 37 of the r'unnel 34is directly below the discharge spout-19 of the faucet 17. V

In the operation of the embodimentof my invention shown in'Fig. 2, when the insulated door 6 is in the closed end 48b of the cable 48 is arranged generally flush with the outer surface of the washer 44 and rides within its bore 45. .With the cable 48'in this position, the lower end 48a of the cable extends a short distance outwardly 7 from washer 46 through itsbore 47. An annular washer 49 is mounted on the lower end 48a of the cable. A spring 50 positioned between the ring 49 and washer 46 biases the lower end of the cable outwardly until a retain-' ing washer 51 fixed to' the cable 48 within the tubing 43 as shown in Fig. '3 contacts the inside of the washer 4 6.

I'also provide within the door 6 a pair of openings 53,

V 54 in walls 8, 9 respectively in which an arc uate funnel 55 somewhat similar to the funnel of the embodiment of Pig. 2 is positioned. This funnel has an upwardly extending enlargedend 56 adjacent the Wall 8 and a downwardly depending narrow end 57 adjacent the wall 9. Within .the portion of the funnelSS which extends without the door wail I arrange a stop cock or valve mechanism 58 monly used to regulate fluidflow. A portion of the stop cock 58 extendsthrough the wall of the funnel 55 and an lever is in theposition of Big. 3.

operating lever 59 is attached thereto having a downwardly extending lip portion 60. It will be noted that the washer 49 arranged on the lower end 48a of the cable 4-8 is immediately adjacent this lip portion 60 when the 7 When thelever 59 is in the position of Fig. 3, the valve 58 closes the passage within the arcuate funnel 55.

In the modification of Fig. 3, the valve 17 may be operated in the same manner as the embodiment of Fig. 2

i when the door 6 is opened as access tothe valve is'therepushbutton 30'is depressed inwardly against the biasing action of the spring 31. As the rod 29 moves inwardly the actuating button 33 strikes the plunger 18 as it moves forward depressing it and opening the valve 17 to allow the flow of liquid from the reservoir'lS through the discharge spout 19. The falling liq'uid is caught bythe enlarged end 37 of the funnel34 and is carriedin an arcuate flow through the insulated door 6 and out the narrow end 38 where it can be collectedbyany suitable vessel means such as a cup. When the button 30 is released, the rod'moves back to its normal position under the actionof the spring 31 withdrawing the button 33 and releasing the plunger 18 of the valve 17. This terminates the'liquid flow from the reservoir .15. At times it maybe desirable to obtain liquid from the reservoir while the dooris opened. In this case the door is swung open and by manually pressing the plunger 18, liquid is f released from the V reservoir through the spout 19 into a vessel which may be held beneath the spout. g

, Referring now to Fig. 3, I have illustrated 'a modifica- It will beseen that I have shown byidentidal numerals parts in Fig. 3

having a central bore .45 is suitably attached as by welding to the upper end of thetubing4 3 and to the wall 8'adjacent the, opening 41. In. asimilarrnanner a .washer 46 by, offered. When the door is closed the enlarged end 56 of the funnel is directly beneath the spout 19 of the faucet 1'7 and the Washer 44 is immediately adjacent the plunger. 13 of the faucet. A clockwise rotation of the operating lever 59 causes the lip portion to engage the lower end .3a of cable 48 moving it inwardly against the biasing action of the sprin 50. The upper end 48b of the cable thus is moved through the bore 45 in "the washer 44 and against the plunger 13 of the faucet 17 depressing it. As the lever 59 rotates, the valve 58 is simultaneously rotated to the opened position to per-mit the flow'o-ffinid closed position closing the passage in the funnel 55 warm through the funnel.

air from the outside of the refrigerator is efiectively prevented from entering the food storage compartment 5 Also any'liquid thatrnay drip from the faucet spout 19 after its use'is caught and retained in the funnel andthereby preventing the dripping of liquid into the inside of the refrigerator. It will also be noted, that rotation of the handle 59 in a counterclockwise direction causes the handle to strike thedoor panel. 9 havmg no'efiect on thenclosed position of the valve 58.

Referring now to Fig. 4, I have shown a second modification of my invention. Identical numbers have been used as in Fig/5 to identify similar parts. A portion of i the insulation 10 has been removed at $2 in the" door 6 Positioned over this recess 64, I provide. a. cover member 66 having an integral flange 67 secured by suitable means such as welding to thewall 9. ,The cover member 66 together with the door recess 64 form a housing in which I is arranged a handle '68 pivotallynioun'ted by a pin having a central bore .47 is suitably attached as by welding to. the lower end of the tubing 43 and to'the .wall 9 adjacent theopening 42.. p

:Disposed withinthe tubing 43; I provide adength .of

. flexible 'cabler 48'- slidable within the tubing. The upper suitably attached to the outer door wall 9. i A push rod 70 is positioned through the opening 63 and in the door walls 3 and 9 respectively, and is loosely pinned at one end to the operating handle 68 by means of V a pin 71; Apair'of washers '12 and 7'3 are fixedly spaced and washer 72 biase the rod 70 to the solid line position of Fig. 4 wherein the washer 73 contacts the wall recess 64.

A bracket 75 is suitably mounted within the door 6 on the wall recess 64 and a bell crank lever 76 is loosely pinned thereto for pivotable movement. As shown in Fig. 4 the upper end of the bell crank lever 76 is loosely pinned to the operating rod 70 and the other end of the lever 76 is connected by means of link 77 to a projection 78a on a stopcock or valve mechanism 78.- A funnel 79 i also attached to the stopcock. A tube 80 is positioned in openings 81, 82 in the door walls 8, 9 respectively and is provided with a downwardly depending spout 83 extending without the refrigerator. The upper end of the tube 80 contains the stopcock 78. I also provide a cup 84 adjacent the funnel 79 which is mounted on the liner 2 and which communicates with a drain pipe, preferably the condensate drain (not shown).

In the operation of the modification of Fig. 4, the faucet 17 may be operated by manually depressing the plunger 18 when the door 6 of the refrigerator is opened. To operate the faucet 17 when the door is in the closed position a shown in Fig. 4, the handle 68 is pivoted toward the wall 9 of the door 6 into the dot-ted line position of Fig. 4. The rod 70 therefore moves against the biasing spring 74 until its forward end contacts the plunger 18 of the faucet 17 and depresses it. The faucet valve opens md liquid is discharged from the reservoir 15 through the spout 19. This inward movement of the rod 7 0 also causes the bell crank lever 76 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction on the bracket 75 to the dotted line position of Fig. 4. Through the link 77 the stopcock 78 is rotated in a clockwise direction and the attached funnel 79 rotates upwardly .to its dotted line position of Fig. 4 directly beneath the spout 19. The stopcock 78 which is originally closed when in the solid line position of Fig. 4 is now opened to permit th liquid discharged from the spout 19 to flow into the funnel 79 and through the tube 80 and its discharrge spout 83 where it can be collected by a vessel or glass. When the handle 68 is released, the rod 70 moves back to its solid line position, once again closing valve 17 by the release of plunger 18. This stops the flow of water from spout 19. Simultaneously, funnel 79 is lowered and stopcock 78 is rotated to the closed position through the bell crank lever 76 and link 77 Thus the funnel 79 empties excess liquid or dripping from spout 19 into the drain cup 84. As in the modification of Fig. 3, the closing of stopcock 78 eliminates any dripping through tube 80 and prevents the flow of warm room air through the tube 80 into the food storage compartment 5.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided an arrangement for storing a reservoir containing a liquid such as water within the food storage compartment of a reh'igerator which afiords easy access to the content of the reservoir regardless of whether the refrigerator closure is closed or open. My reservoir is so arranged within the refrigerator that eflicient and rapid heat transfer may take place from the reservoir to the evaporating or chilling unit to cool the reservoir contents. Easy access to the reservoir is provided when the refrigerator closure is .opened to obtain the contents of the reservoir and when the door is closed the liquid in the reservoir may be drawn off outside of the refrigerator in a clean, drip-free manner without impairing the insulating properties of the refrigerator cabinet. The arrangement of my invention not only occupies a minimum of space within the refrigerator but is characterized by a simple and pleasing appearance from the outside of the cabinet.

While in accordance with the Patent Statutes I have described what at present is considered to he the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I desire to claim as new and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a refrigerator having a storage compartment, a closure for said compartment, a liquid reservoir within said storage compartment, a plunger-actuated valve on said liquid reservoir, normally closed pipe means within said closure for conducting fluid discharged through said valve externally of said refrigerator, said pipe having a funnel pivotally mounted upon the end thereof on the compartment side of said closure, said funnel arranged to pivot into fluid communicating relationship with said reservoir valve a spring-loaded plunger within said closure operable from without said refrigerator to simultaneously actuate said valve, communicate said funnel with said valve, and open said pipe means only when said compartment is closed by said closure.

2. In a refrigerator having a storage compartment, a closure for said compartment, a liquid reservoir within said storage compartment, a plunger-actuated valve on said liquid reservoir, a fluid con-ducting pipe extending through said closure having a downwardly depending open end without said refrigerator, a stopcock within said fluidconducting pipe rotatable to close said pipe, an upwardly extending funnel fixedly mounted on said stopcock, a plunger within said closure operable from without said refrigerator to actuate said reservoir valve, linkage means connecting said plunger to said funnel, biasing means for said plunger, said plunger movable against its biasing means to simultaneously actuate said reservoir valve, rotate said stopcock into pipe opening position, and pivot said funnel into fluid communicating relationship with said reservoir valve when said compartment is closed by said closure, said plunger movable by said biasing means to simultaneously rotate said stopcock into pipe closing position, pivot said funnel into a downwardly extending position to discharge liquid contained therein, and permit said plunger actuated valve on said reservoir to move into closing position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

